BILL NUMBER: SB 894 INTRODUCED
BILL TEXT
INTRODUCED BY Senator Jackson
JANUARY 21, 2016
An act to amend Sections 16520, 26835, and 27535 of, and to add
Division 4.5 (commencing with Section 25250) to Title 4 of Part 6 of,
the Penal Code, relating to firearms.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 894, as introduced, Jackson. Firearms: lost or stolen: reports.
(1) Existing law requires each sheriff or police chief executive
to submit descriptions of serialized property, or nonserialized
property that has been uniquely inscribed, which has been reported
stolen, lost, or found directly into the appropriate Department of
Justice automated property system for firearms, stolen bicycles,
stolen vehicles, or other property. Existing law requires that
information about a firearm entered into the automated system for
firearms remain in the system until the reported firearm has been
found. Existing law requires the Department of Justice to implement
an electronic system to receive comprehensive tracing information
from each local law enforcement agency and to forward the information
to the National Tracing Center.
This bill would require every person, with exceptions, to report
the theft or loss of a firearm he or she owns or possesses to a local
law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction in which the theft or
loss occurred within 5 days of the time he or she knew or reasonably
should have known that the firearm had been stolen or lost, and
requires every person who has reported a firearm lost or stolen to
notify the local law enforcement agency within 48 hours if the
firearm is subsequently recovered. The bill would make a violation of
these provisions an infraction punishable by a fine not to exceed
$100 for a first offense, an infraction punishable by a fine not to
exceed $1,000 for a 2nd offense, and a misdemeanor, punishable by
imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding 6 months, or by a fine
not to exceed $1,000, or both that fine and imprisonment, for a 3rd
or subsequent offense. The bill would make it an infraction for any
person to make a report to a local law enforcement agency that a
firearm has been lost or stolen, knowing the report to be false. The
bill would not preclude or preempt a local ordinance that imposes
additional penalties or requirements in regard to reporting the theft
or loss of a firearm.
By creating new crimes, this bill would impose a state-mandated
local program.
The bill would require every sheriff or police chief to submit a
description of each firearm that has been reported lost or stolen
directly to the Department of Justice Automated Firearms System.
By imposing new duties on local agencies, this bill would impose a
state-mandated local program.
The bill would also require that persons licensed to sell firearms
post a warning within the licensed premises in block letters stating
the requirement that a lost or stolen firearm be reported to a local
law enforcement agency, as specified.
(2) Existing law prohibits a person from making an application to
purchase more than one handgun within any 30-day period. Existing law
makes an exception for the replacement of a handgun when the person'
s handgun was lost or stolen and the person reported the firearm lost
or stolen prior to the completion of the application to purchase.
This bill would instead make the exception for the replacement of
a lost or stolen handgun applicable when the person has reported the
handgun lost or stolen pursuant to the provisions of this bill.
(3) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse
local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
This bill would provide that with regard to certain mandates no
reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that,
if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains
costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall
be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 16520 of the Penal Code is amended to read:
16520. (a) As used in this part, "firearm" means a device,
designed to be used as a weapon, from which is expelled through a
barrel, a projectile by the force of an explosion or other form of
combustion.
(b) As used in the following provisions, "firearm" includes the
frame or receiver of the weapon:
(1) Section 16550.
(2) Section 16730.
(3) Section 16960.
(4) Section 16990.
(5) Section 17070.
(6) Section 17310.
(7) Sections 25250 to 25275, inclusive.
(7) (8) Sections 26500 to 26588, inclusive.
(8) (9) Sections 26600 to 27140, inclusive.
(9) (10) Sections 27400 to 28000, inclusive.
(10) (11) Section 28100.
(11) (12) Sections 28400 to 28415, inclusive.
(12) (13) Sections 29010 to 29150, inclusive.
(13) (14) Sections 29610 to 29750, inclusive.
(14) (15) Sections 29800 to 29905, inclusive.
(15) (16) Sections 30150 to 30165, inclusive.
(16) (17) Section 31615.
(17) (18) Sections 31705 to 31830, inclusive.
(18) (19) Sections 34355 to 34370, inclusive.
(19) (20) Sections 8100, 8101, and 8103 of the Welfare and
Institutions Code.
(c) As used in the following provisions, "firearm" also includes a
rocket, rocket propelled projectile launcher, or similar device
containing an explosive or incendiary material, whether or not the
device is designed for emergency or distress signaling purposes:
(1) Section 16750.
(2) Subdivision (b) of Section 16840.
(3) Section 25400.
(4) Sections 25850 to 26025, inclusive.
(5) Subdivisions (a), (b), and (c) of Section 26030.
(6) Sections 26035 to 26055, inclusive.
(d) As used in the following provisions, "firearm" does not
include an unloaded antique firearm:
(1) Subdivisions (a) and (c) of Section 16730.
(2) Section 16550.
(3) Section 16960.
(4) Section 17310.
(5) Division 4.5 (commencing with Section 25250) of Title 4.
(5) (6) Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 26350) of
Division 5 of Title 4.
(6) (7) Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 26400) of
Division 5 of Title 4.
(7) (8) Sections 26500 to 26588, inclusive.
(8) (9) Sections 26700 to 26915, inclusive.
(9) (10) Section 27510.
(10) (11) Section 27530.
(11) (12) Section 27540.
(12) (13) Section 27545.
(13) (14) Sections 27555 to 27585, inclusive.
(14) (15) Sections 29010 to 29150, inclusive.
(15) (16) Section 25135.
(e) As used in Sections 34005 and 34010, "firearm" does not
include a destructive device.
(f) As used in Sections 17280 and 24680, "firearm" has the same
meaning as in Section 922 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
(g) As used in Sections 29010 to 29150, inclusive, "firearm"
includes the unfinished frame or receiver of a weapon that can be
readily converted to the functional condition of a finished frame or
receiver.
SEC. 2. Division 4.5 (commencing with Section 25250) is added to
Title 4 of Part 6 of the Penal Code, to read:
DIVISION 4.5. Lost or Stolen Firearms
25250. (a) Every person shall report the theft or loss of a
firearm he or she owns or possesses to a local law enforcement agency
in the jurisdiction in which the theft or loss occurred within five
days of the time he or she knew or reasonably should have known that
the firearm had been stolen or lost.
(b) Every person who has reported a firearm lost or stolen under
subdivision (a) shall notify the local law enforcement agency in the
jurisdiction in which the theft or loss occurred within 48 hours if
the firearm is subsequently recovered by the person.
25255. Section 25250 does not apply to the following:
(a) Any law enforcement agency or peace officer acting within the
course and scope of his or her employment or official duties if he or
she reports the loss or theft to his or her employing agency.
(b) Any United States marshal or member of the Armed Forces of the
United States or the National Guard, while engaged in his or her
official duties.
(c) Any person who is licensed, pursuant to Chapter 44 (commencing
with Section 921) of Title 18 of the United States Code and the
regulations issued pursuant thereto, and who reports the theft or
loss in accordance with Section 923(g)(6) of Title 18 of the United
States Code, or the successor provision thereto, and applicable
regulations issued thereto.
(d) Any person whose firearm was lost or stolen prior to January
1, 2017.
25260. Pursuant to Section 11108, every sheriff or police chief
shall submit a description of each firearm which has been reported
lost or stolen directly into the Department of Justice Automated
Firearms System.
25265. (a) Every person who violates Section 25250 is, for a
first violation, guilty of an infraction punishable by a fine not to
exceed one hundred dollars ($100).
(b) Every person who violates Section 25250 is, for a second
violation, guilty of an infraction, punishable by a fine not
exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000).
(c) Every person who violates Section 25250 is, for a third or
subsequent violation, guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by
imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding six months, or by a fine
not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that fine and
imprisonment.
25270. Every person reporting a lost or stolen firearm pursuant
to Section 25250 shall report the make, model, and serial number of
the firearm, if known by the person.
25275. It is unlawful to report to a local law enforcement agency
that a firearm has been lost or stolen, knowing the report to be
false. A violation of this section is an infraction, punishable by a
fine not exceeding two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for a first
offense, and by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000)
for a second or subsequent offense.
25280. This division does not preclude or preempt a local
ordinance that imposes additional penalties or requirements in regard
to reporting the theft or loss of a firearm.
SEC. 3. Section 26835 of the Penal Code is amended to read:
26835. A licensee shall post conspicuously within the licensed
premises the following warnings in block letters not less than one
inch in height:
(a) "IF YOU KEEP A LOADED FIREARM WITHIN ANY PREMISES UNDER YOUR
CUSTODY OR CONTROL, AND A PERSON UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE OBTAINS IT AND
USES IT, RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH, OR CARRIES IT TO A PUBLIC
PLACE, YOU MAY BE GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR OR A FELONY UNLESS YOU
STORED THE FIREARM IN A LOCKED CONTAINER OR LOCKED THE FIREARM WITH A
LOCKING DEVICE, TO KEEP IT FROM TEMPORARILY FUNCTIONING."
(b) "IF YOU KEEP A PISTOL, REVOLVER, OR OTHER FIREARM CAPABLE OF
BEING CONCEALED UPON THE PERSON, WITHIN ANY PREMISES UNDER YOUR
CUSTODY OR CONTROL, AND A PERSON UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE GAINS ACCESS
TO THE FIREARM, AND CARRIES IT OFF-PREMISES, YOU MAY BE GUILTY OF A
MISDEMEANOR, UNLESS YOU STORED THE FIREARM IN A LOCKED CONTAINER, OR
LOCKED THE FIREARM WITH A LOCKING DEVICE, TO KEEP IT FROM TEMPORARILY
FUNCTIONING."
(c) "IF YOU KEEP ANY FIREARM WITHIN ANY PREMISES UNDER YOUR
CUSTODY OR CONTROL, AND A PERSON UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE GAINS ACCESS
TO THE FIREARM, AND CARRIES IT OFF-PREMISES TO A SCHOOL OR
SCHOOL-SPONSORED EVENT, YOU MAY BE GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR, INCLUDING
A FINE OF UP TO FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($5,000), UNLESS YOU STORED
THE FIREARM IN A LOCKED CONTAINER, OR LOCKED THE FIREARM WITH A
LOCKING DEVICE."
(d) "IF YOU NEGLIGENTLY STORE OR LEAVE A LOADED FIREARM WITHIN ANY
PREMISES UNDER YOUR CUSTODY OR CONTROL, WHERE A PERSON UNDER 18
YEARS OF AGE IS LIKELY TO ACCESS IT, YOU MAY BE GUILTY OF A
MISDEMEANOR, INCLUDING A FINE OF UP TO ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,000),
UNLESS YOU STORED THE FIREARM IN A LOCKED CONTAINER, OR LOCKED THE
FIREARM WITH A LOCKING DEVICE."
(e) "DISCHARGING FIREARMS IN POORLY VENTILATED AREAS, CLEANING
FIREARMS, OR HANDLING AMMUNITION MAY RESULT IN EXPOSURE TO LEAD, A
SUBSTANCE KNOWN TO CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS, REPRODUCTIVE HARM, AND OTHER
SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY. HAVE ADEQUATE VENTILATION AT ALL TIMES. WASH
HANDS THOROUGHLY AFTER EXPOSURE."
(f) "FEDERAL REGULATIONS PROVIDE THAT IF YOU DO NOT TAKE PHYSICAL
POSSESSION OF THE FIREARM THAT YOU ARE ACQUIRING OWNERSHIP OF WITHIN
30 DAYS AFTER YOU COMPLETE THE INITIAL BACKGROUND CHECK PAPERWORK,
THEN YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE BACKGROUND CHECK PROCESS A SECOND
TIME IN ORDER TO TAKE PHYSICAL POSSESSION OF THAT FIREARM."
(g) "NO PERSON SHALL MAKE AN APPLICATION TO PURCHASE MORE THAN ONE
PISTOL, REVOLVER, OR OTHER FIREARM CAPABLE OF BEING CONCEALED UPON
THE PERSON WITHIN ANY 30-DAY PERIOD AND NO DELIVERY SHALL BE MADE TO
ANY PERSON WHO HAS MADE AN APPLICATION TO PURCHASE MORE THAN ONE
PISTOL, REVOLVER, OR OTHER FIREARM CAPABLE OF BEING CONCEALED UPON
THE PERSON WITHIN ANY 30-DAY PERIOD."
(h) "IF A FIREARM YOU OWN OR POSSESS IS LOST OR STOLEN, YOU MUST
REPORT THE LOSS OR THEFT TO A LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY WHERE THE
LOSS OR THEFT OCCURRED WITHIN FIVE DAYS OF THE TIME YOU KNEW OR
REASONABLY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT THE FIREARM HAD BEEN LOST OR
STOLEN."
SEC. 4. Section 27535 of the Penal Code is amended to read:
27535. (a) No person shall make an application to purchase more
than one handgun within any 30-day period.
(b) Subdivision (a) shall not apply to any of the following:
(1) Any law enforcement agency.
(2) Any agency duly authorized to perform law enforcement duties.
(3) Any state or local correctional facility.
(4) Any private security company licensed to do business in
California.
(5) Any person who is properly identified as a full-time paid
peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section
830) of Title 3 of Part 2, and who is authorized to, and does carry a
firearm during the course and scope of employment as a peace
officer.
(6) Any motion picture, television, or video production company or
entertainment or theatrical company whose production by its nature
involves the use of a firearm.
(7) Any person who may, pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with
Section 27600), Article 3 (commencing with Section 27650), or Article
4 (commencing with Section 27700), claim an exemption from the
waiting period set forth in Section 27540.
(8) Any transaction conducted through a licensed firearms dealer
pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 28050).
(9) Any person who is licensed as a collector pursuant to Chapter
44 (commencing with Section 921) of Title 18 of the United States
Code and the regulations issued pursuant thereto, and has a current
certificate of eligibility issued by the Department of Justice
pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 26700) of Chapter 2.
(10) The exchange of a handgun where the dealer purchased that
firearm from the person seeking the exchange within the 30-day period
immediately preceding the date of exchange or replacement.
(11) The replacement of a handgun when the person's handgun was
lost or stolen, and the person reported that firearm lost or stolen
pursuant to Section 25250 prior to the completion of the
application to purchase to any local law enforcement agency
of the city, county, or city and county in which the person resides.
the replacement handgun.
(12) The return of any handgun to its owner.
(13) A community college that is certified by the Commission on
Peace Officer Standards and Training to present the law enforcement
academy basic course or other commission-certified law enforcement
training.
SEC. 5. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution for
certain costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school
district because, in that regard, this act creates a new crime or
infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty
for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the
Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the
meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
Constitution.
However, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that this
act contains other costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to
local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made
pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of
Title 2 of the Government Code.